As President Trump's administration pushes through changes at a rapid pace, Democratic lawmakers are scrambling to find ways to push back. With the government funding deadline approaching on March 14th, Democrats are hoping to leverage this moment to influence the Trump agenda. However, the path forward is fraught with challenges, including uncertainty about Republican willingness to negotiate and the risk of being blamed for a government shutdown.
The phones in Democratic offices on Capitol Hill have been ringing off the hook. As President Donald Trump and his revolutionaries blitz through the federal government at a speed unprecedented in recent times, Democratic constituents are pleading with their representatives to do somethingtheir efforts into several buckets: oversight, litigation, communication and mobilization, and legislation.
Funding for the government expires on March 14. Republicans will need Democratic votes to keep the government open. They’ll need Democratic votes in the Senate to surmount the 60-vote filibuster threshold, and they’ll need Democratic votes in the House, where the narrow Republican majority is a mess.
In theory, then, the deadline will give Democrats their first leverage point to put some brakes on the executive branch. But it’s easy to overestimate and overstate the extent of their leverage, and it’s a hand they can overplay. Neither this funding fight nor the next one is going to be the moment they turn the tide against the Trump administration. That was, is, and will remain a long slog.
Bipartisan spending deals are always difficult to negotiate. Adding a new layer of complication to this next round is that Democrats can’t be sure the Trump administration willthe hard-earned dollars Democrats negotiate in a deal. It’s not just that the administration’s actions so far make the negotiations themselves, or lack thereof, an unusually theoretical exercise. They also give Democrats, whose base is livid, less political space to work with Republicans at all.
That includes, by the way, messaging about the separate legislative effort that Republicans, all on their own, will be in the thick of by mid-March: predictably
Congressional Funding Trump Administration Government Shutdown Democratic Party Republican Party
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Progressives Fume as Democrats Fold in Face of Trump's 'Corporate-Owned Cabinet'Julia Conley is a staff writer for Common Dreams.
Read more »
Democrats Struggle to Find Their Footing in the Face of Trump's Early ActionsThe article examines the Democratic Party's initial response to President Trump's policies, highlighting the internal division and struggle to formulate a cohesive opposition strategy. It points to the lack of a clear message and leadership in the face of Trump's aggressive and divisive agenda.
Read more »
Trump's FBI director pick, Kash Patel, to face skeptical Democrats at Senate confirmation hearingKash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, is to encounter deeply skeptical questioning from Democratic senators about his loyalty to the president and stated desire to overhaul the bureau as he faces a high-stakes hearing that will help determine his path toward confirmation.
Read more »
Democrats Face Dilemma as Trump Nominees Pass Amidst Musk-Led Agency DisruptionJohn Fetterman's vote alongside Republicans for Pam Bondi's confirmation as Attorney General highlights the growing tension within the Democratic party over how to respond to the Trump administration's actions. Progressive activists are pushing for a more aggressive stance, demanding a complete blockade of all Trump nominees, while moderate Democrats continue to support some nominations. The conflict intensifies as billionaire Elon Musk's influence on federal agencies escalates.
Read more »
Democrats Face Backlash for Inaction as Trump Administration Takes ChargeAs the second Trump administration launches with swift and decisive action, Democratic leaders find themselves under intense pressure from their increasingly frustrated base. Voters demand a more proactive and assertive response from their elected officials, who are being criticized for failing to adequately challenge the new administration's agenda. This mounting discontent is fueled by a sense of urgency and a belief that fundamental democratic values are at stake.
Read more »
Lara Trump: Democrats Will Try to Sabotage Trump, But He's 'Studying Up' and 'Farther Ahead'Lara Trump, during a Breitbart Fight Club Roundtable, asserted that Democrats will attempt to sabotage President-elect Donald Trump, but he is well-prepared. She highlighted Trump's experience, noting his focus on issues like the Gulf of America, Panama Canal, and Greenland. She also emphasized Trump's team of loyal individuals who will not betray him or leak to the press.
Read more »